Research Statement
Venomous animals have evolved large libraries of bioactive compounds that disrupt the physiology and/or behavior of prey, predators and competitors. The venoms of predatory marine cone snails have been particularly useful because of the high diversity and specificity of peptides that potently target receptors, ion channels and transporters in prey. These molecular targets play critical roles in health and disease rendering cone snail venoms ideal sources for the discovery of pharmacological tools and therapeutics for a wide range of conditions, including pain, epilepsy, stroke and autoimmune disease.
Our research centers on applying novel computational and experimental tools for the discovery of toxins with therapeutic potential. We are particularly interested in small peptide toxins that mimic endogenous receptor ligands in prey, including toxins implicated in regulating glucose homeostasis (e.g., insulin) and pain (e.g., neurotensin-like peptides).
Education History
| Research Fellow |
University of Copenhagen |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
|---|---|---|
|
University of Utah |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | |
| Research Fellow |
University of Melbourne |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
|
University of Melbourne |
PhD | |
| Graduate Training |
University of Cologne |
MSc |
Selected Publications
Patent
- Safavi-Hemami H (2019). Insulin Analogs and Methods of Using.
- Gerbrandt Tasman Menting J, Smith B, Hung-Chieh Chou D, Safavi-Hemami H, Lawrence MC, Baldomero OM (2019). Insulin analogs. U.S. Patent No. WO2018014091A1. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Safavi-Hemami H, Olivera BM, Gajewiak J, Karanth S, Schlegel A, Bandyopadhyay PK, Yandell M, Robinson SD (2016). Insulin analogs having shortened B chain peptides and associated methods. U.S. Patent No. PCT/US2016/028526. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.